A Message from Chota's Whitewater Trip Coordinator

Hi, my name is Jim Sawyers and I have been Chota's Whitewater Trip Coordinator for the past year. As many of you may know by now, I grew up in Nashville in the 70's and 80s, paddling with Tennessee Scenic River Association (TSRA). I came to the Chota nominations meeting last year to learn about the Club, meet some people and enjoy some pizza. While there, I saw a camaraderie similar to what I remember from those early days, and much of the potential I see with Chota's future comes from my memories from what some would call the heyday of paddling. TSRA was a very tight knit group of passionate and adventurous people, willing to take on new adventures and run rivers that no one had ever paddled before - sometimes standing up in an open 17-foot canoe without floatation (RIP Dick Wooten).

Before this year, I've sporadically been active with Chota, like many of you, attending paddling school and maybe a trip or two over the summer. This year I have been surprised and excited to see many people, like myself, coming back to paddling for the first time in 20+ years. I'll admit, volunteering as the Whitewater Trip Coordinator was initially a whim, but as I've met more people and engaged in more trips it has become deeply important to me because this Club combines a passion for adventure with a commitment to fostering a strong, inclusive community. I believe that organizing diverse and exciting trips will not only enhance our individual experiences but also strengthen the bonds within our Club. And I've seen it first-hand in the many trips I've participated in over the 2024 summer.

But getting on to the point of this post, as the Whitewater Trip Coordinator, my plan is to offer a wider variety of trips which cater to different skill levels and interests. This includes introducing more beginner-friendly outings to encourage new paddlers, as well as more challenging adventures for experienced members seeking excitement. Additionally, I will help promote social and adventurous outings by organizing themed trips, such as scenic river explorations, multi-day camping excursions, or social activities like the upcoming Members’ event that blend the thrill of whitewater with opportunities for members to connect and build friendships.

By diversifying the types of trips we offer, I hope we can attract a broader range of participants and create a more inclusive and vibrant club environment. This approach will not only enhance the overall experience for current members but also help recruit new paddlers who share our love for both adventure and community.

While I have your attention, I'd like to take a minute to celebrate some of our WINs this year, in 2024. We had our largest paddle school that Chota has seen in many years. We have had a trip planned every weekend of the summer and our first trip on the lower Pigeon had over 25 participants. But one of the things I've enjoyed seeing the most, is that we have had a diverse group of trip leaders; some who have led trips with Chota for many years - I won't mention any names :) - and some that have led their first trip this year.

I'd also like to call out Bryan Hooks for the dedication he has shown this year. He not only led or participated in most of the trips this summer, but he volunteered his Tuesday evenings to provide additional training for some of our newer paddlers. Thanks Bryan!!

In summary, I chose to become more active with Chota and participate in the Executive Board because there is a passion here which is contagious. I encourage you all to embrace that passion and participate in Whitewater and Touring activities. I think if you do, you will find that it will create memories for a lifetime.

It's been a great year to be a part of Chota! Thanks to everyone for making it successful!

Thx,

Jim